June 29, 2026
Ms. Malliotakis introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to apply tax return preparation penalties to improperly altered returns, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Protecting Taxpayers from Ghost Preparers Act
.
Sec. 2. Penalties for tax return preparers who improperly alter returns
(a) In general
Paragraph (1) of section 6696(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
(1) Return
The term return means—
(A)
any return of any tax imposed by this title,
(B)
any administrative adjustment request under section 6227,
(C)
any partnership adjustment tracking report under section 6226(b)(4)(A), and
(D)
any other document purporting to be a return, request, or report described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).
(b) Effective date
The amendment made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
Sec. 3. Limitation period not extended for victims of preparer fraud
(a) In general
Section 6501(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting by the taxpayer
after intent
.
(b) Effective date
The amendment made by this section shall apply to assessments made or proceedings begun after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Sec. 4. Technical amendment related to the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act
(a) In general
Subsection (f) of section 7508A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act) is redesignated as subsection (g).
(b) Effective date
The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect as if included in section 2(a) of the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act.